But, I don’t feel grown-up.

I learned from my academic advisor that there is the potential for me to graduate in December of ‘07, which is a semester earlier than I was a originally scheduled to graduate. Now, if you had asked me a year ago if I would be willing to graduate a semester early, I would have eagerly replied with a , “Hells yeah!” (And, yes, “hells“, because everything is more exciting if you make it plural.)

But when he approached me with the idea this weekend, I did not have the same reaction. I was scared. I was shocked, and speechless. Is this it? It this…it? And just like that I’m grown up and thrust into the real world? What would I do if I graduated a semester early? Move back home? No, I couldn’t possibly. Move to a bigger city like was originally planned? No, not enough money.

I spoke with some of my peers and some graduated friends and most of them encouraged that I just remain on schedule and graduate in the spring of ‘08. This seems to be the most logical thing to do. There is no need to rush my education. This way, by staying on schedule, I’ll have to opportunity to take on another apprenticeship or internship on campus my senior year to chalk onto my resume. Furthermore, there would also be a possibilty for me to take another public relations or management class.

Not to mention, in order to graduate in the fall, I would have to take very full loads of classes for the next two semesters, and I cannot see the benefit in putting myself under so much stress just to squeeze by a semester earlier. Plus, I would have to take Lighting Design, as opposed to the Costume Design just due to class rotation.

The thought of being out of school and forced to officially care for myself 100% is utterly devasting. Who knew that it would come so soon? It spurred in me a debate as to where I would go upon graduation. Below is a list of pro’s and con’s that I would anticipate if I were to move to either NYC, LA, or Chicago:

Moving to New York City:
+ No need for a car
+ I know probably the most people there out of all three areas
+ I have visited NYC several times and could easily see myself living there
+ There seems to be a sizeable job market for intended career path (casting/talent management)
+ My dad lives in New York state still, so I would be close to him, and not an impossible distance from my mom and brother
+ Potential leads into industry
- The living expenses in NYC is probably the most expensive between the three locales
- My standards my be greater than the standards that my budget would prescribe
- Horrible weather

Moving to Los Angeles
+ Probably the biggest job market for intended career path
+ Several choices in neighborhoods and boroughs
+ Lindsay is going there
+ Potential leads into industry
+ Never been to the West Coast, and would imagine that I would be fond of the climate
+ Would be possible to rely on public transportation as opposed to driving
+ Know a handful of people
- Would more than likely need my car…
- Never been to the West Coast, and may not like the climate after all
- Undecided as to how much I appreciate the whole “Hollywood Vibe”
- Would be farthest away from my family

Moving to Chicago
+ Maybe most affordable locale
+ What I consider what would be a less intense NYC
+ Would be possible to rely on public transportation as opposed to driving
+ Never been there, and I may find the midwest suitable
+ Though I’ve never been there, I seem to think that I like the aesthetics of the city more than the rest
- Probably the smallest job market for intended career path
- Outside of the people in school now that plan on heading there, I know no one there
- No connections to industry
- Would be fairly distant from my family

So, by now it should be quite obvious as to how perplexed I am about my quickly-approaching future.